SOLAS Apprenticeship Monitoring Processes. SOLAS has a statutory responsibility for the governance, co-ordination, administration, and control of apprenticeship training in Republic of Ireland and, in line with this, is required to implement a series of monitoring and reporting processes which establish the effectiveness of the apprenticeship training programme delivery. In accordance with the legislative requirements, SOLAS recognises the continuous improvement process as a priority component of its apprenticeship quality5 and governance responsibilities. Consequently, to protect the integrity of apprenticeship awards, SOLAS employs a partnership approach with its training partners to continuously improve the quality of training delivery and assessment practices. The purpose of SOLAS Training Provider monitoring activities are to: • Endeavour to have apprenticeship programmes remain current and continue to meet the needs of relevant stakeholders. • Verify that the curriculum and assessment regulations are being adhered to, and deliver a fair and consistent treatment of learners both within and across training providers. • Identify areas of the training delivery and assessment process which have potential for continuous improvement action • Contribute to the development of a culture of continuous quality improvement in which all stakeholders are aware of their respective duties and responsibilities and the collective need to pro-actively address areas for improvement identified in programme delivery and assessment practices. • Enhance the learning and development experience of the apprentice in attaining the standards at the appropriate level of his or her apprenticeship • Establish the degree to which learners achieve specific programme learning outcomes (SOLAS Authorised Officers observe at the Results Approval or Examination Board Meetings as appropriate and issue written report of the outcomes to SOLAS). To this end, SOLAS will develop a series of monitoring instruments designed to establish that all apprenticeship training providers adhere to the SOLAS apprenticeship training regulations and that they are regularly monitored to confirm that they continue to provide an effective and efficient apprentice training and assessment process.
